Draymond Green has never been one to hold back, and his latest comments have sent shockwaves through women’s basketball. The Golden State Warriors veteran has now taken aim at the WNBA, specifically how the league reports attendance and markets its stars.

But what turned heads even more was the way Paige Bueckers, a college star who hasn’t even entered the WNBA yet, became part of the conversation. And now, with the arrival of Unrivaled, the new women’s pro league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, fans are beginning to whisper a question the WNBA does not want to hear: could this outside competition force a lockout?

At the heart of Green’s criticism is the WNBA’s attempt to showcase growth by boasting attendance milestones. The league recently celebrated record-breaking numbers, but Green questioned the authenticity of those claims. Were these raw ticket sales? Were comps included?

Were a few teams’ sellouts being projected as a league-wide trend? His skepticism hit home because fans and analysts have noticed discrepancies—especially when teams like the Dallas Wings rank near the bottom in attendance, but Paige Bueckers’ photo is still used to promote those records.

The use of Bueckers in league promotion is a flashpoint. Paige is one of the most recognizable names in women’s basketball, even before officially joining the professional ranks. Her star power is undeniable—she draws millions of views on social media, sells out college arenas, and carries endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade.

But by leaning on her image to sell a narrative of WNBA success, the league risks undermining its current stars while exposing just how much it’s banking on Bueckers and Caitlin Clark to carry the future.

This is where Unrivaled enters the picture. The new league, launching in 2025, is offering shorter seasons, bigger payouts, and player-driven storytelling. Already, several WNBA names have aligned themselves with the project, and whispers suggest more stars are interested in defecting or splitting time.

If players like Bueckers—whose brand may actually grow faster outside the WNBA—opt to embrace Unrivaled, the balance of power in women’s basketball could shift. That possibility has sparked the wild but increasingly plausible speculation: could Unrivaled’s rise push the WNBA into a lockout scenario as players demand fairer treatment and better opportunities?

A lockout may sound extreme, but the ingredients are there. The WNBA has long faced tension between its players and ownership, with disputes over salaries, travel accommodations, and revenue sharing boiling over in recent years.

Now add the pressure of a competing league that promises to give players more control and financial security. The optics alone—Draymond Green calling out league transparency, Paige Bueckers being paraded as a marketing tool, and Unrivaled dangling freedom—make the WNBA look vulnerable.

Fans are divided. Some argue the WNBA should absolutely market Bueckers and Clark as aggressively as possible, since they are household names capable of pulling casual fans into the fold. Others believe the league is disrespecting established stars like A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Alyssa Thomas by prioritizing optics over authenticity.

Social media has amplified these debates, and Green’s blunt criticism has only poured gasoline on the fire.

If there’s one certainty, it’s that Paige Bueckers is at the center of all of this. She represents the future of women’s basketball, but also the WNBA’s dilemma. If she signs with the league, she’ll immediately become a face of the brand.

If she chooses Unrivaled—or even splits her time between both—she could expose the WNBA’s fragile hold over its own market. That’s why using her photo to boost attendance records feels like a risky gamble: the WNBA is already leaning on a star it doesn’t yet control.

As for Draymond Green, his track record shows he’s not just trolling for headlines. He’s consistently pushed for women’s basketball players to receive the respect and opportunities they deserve. His critique isn’t aimed at the players but at the system—one that may be propping up narratives instead of doing the hard work of building sustainable fanbases in every market. Whether you love or hate his delivery, he’s forcing a conversation the WNBA can’t ignore.

So, will Unrivaled force a lockout? That remains to be seen. The WNBA has weathered challenges before, but this time the stakes feel different. With Bueckers and Clark drawing record attention, with players more empowered than ever to speak out, and with outside competition offering real alternatives, the league is walking a tightrope.

If it doesn’t handle this moment carefully, Green’s warning shot may end up looking less like noise and more like prophecy.

One thing is clear: Paige Bueckers’ decision—WNBA or Unrivaled—will define the next era of women’s basketball. And the league that once assumed it was the only stage in town is quickly learning that stars like Bueckers don’t just belong to them.